NONA's Zero: Revolutionary Non-Alcoholic Spirits

NONA June is in the glass, no alcohol in it, and the nose already makes me second-guess that. Charlotte, founder and bio-engineer, builds botanical spirits without alcohol from her base in Belgium. The result is worth paying attention to. Use code VONK10 for 10% off a large bottle at checkout — more on that below.

Philosophy

NONA means nine in Latin. A direct reference to the nine botanicals at the core of the flagship spirit. This is not juniper-flavored water. The approach is deliberate: natural ingredients, proprietary steam distillation, each botanical handled separately.

It started with frustration. Charlotte was at an after-work drink where the AF options were sweet and characterless. That was enough to turn her living room into a lab, with test batches and handwritten labels on every shelf.

The Laboratory

Charlotte’s bio-engineer background shows in the production method. Each botanical is extracted separately via steam distillation — that precision matters when there’s no alcohol to carry or blur the flavors. The recipes were developed in collaboration with top chefs and sommeliers.

Tasting Notes

Tasted with one ice cube, then with tonic. Both work.

NONA June

Crystal clear, with good viscosity. The nose leads with juniper, then citrus and a herbal layer. On the palate it builds from juniper through lemon and lemongrass into a finish where sweet basil and black pepper trade off. Good balance and length for an AF spirit.

Serve: 5cl NONA June with 10cl Indian tonic, orange zest and a basil leaf. The basil pulls the herbal notes forward.

NONA Spritz

Transparent with a light amber tone. Blood orange on the nose, then sweet citrus zest and botanical depth from 27 ingredients. The palate opens with bright citrus, develops into orange marmalade mid-palate, then closes on the bitterness of gentian root. The sweet-bitter balance is well handled.

Serve: 5cl NONA Spritz with 10cl tonic over ice, garnished with an orange slice.

NONA Ginger

Clear with a faint golden tint; natural sediment visible, so give it a gentle shake before pouring. The nose is fresh ginger up front, then yuzu and verbena with warming spices underneath. On the palate ginger builds in intensity, yuzu cuts through cleanly, and turmeric adds an earthy base note. The finish is warm without being sharp.

Serve: 5cl NONA Ginger with 10cl Indian tonic over ice, lime wedge. Swap in ginger beer for a more intense hit, and you have an AF Moscow Mule.

At the Table

NONA June works alongside Asian seafood dishes, light citrus desserts, herb salads, and cucumber canapés. NONA Spritz fits Mediterranean antipasti, citrus-cured fish, bitter green salads, and orange chocolate. NONA Ginger pairs with spicy Asian food, grilled seafood, sushi, and ginger-forward desserts.

On the Menu

NONA appears on the AF pairing menus at The Jane and Le Gris. The brand draws both traditional spirits drinkers and the mindful drinking crowd.

Closing

NONA is not trying to replicate gin. It holds onto the ritual and refinement of a spirit and writes its own logic within that frame. The serving ratios are deliberate, the garnishes chosen to support the botanical profiles rather than mask anything.

For anyone looking into the AF spirits category: NONA does not feel like a concession. It works in a formal dinner setting and equally at a casual table.

Thanks to NONA for the bottles. Order on the official site with code VONK10 for 10% off a large bottle: https://www.nonadrinks.com/